July Coffee with a Cop Event To Feature Auto Theft Prevention Device Giveaway

Contact: Monique Cotton 509.363.8285

Wednesday, July 16, 2014 at 11:23 a.m.

The Spokane Police Department will hold the next Coffee with a Cop event Wednesday, July 23rd, 7:30-9 a.m. and again in the afternoon from 4:30-6 p.m.

The event will be held at Java Junction II, located at 4715 N. Market. In an effort to prevent auto theft in Spokane, the Spokane Police Department will be handing out "The Club," an auto theft prevention device to citizens with vehicles that are commonly stolen. "The Club" giveaway was made possible by a grant from the Washington Auto Theft Prevention Authority (WATPA). All members of our community are invited to attend this event.

The Spokane Police Department is pleased to partner with Java Junction II to host our July Coffee with a Cop event. Drip coffee will be provided by Java Junction and the Spokane Police Department will be handing out "The Club," an auto theft prevention device, to citizens who have the vehicles (year, make, and model) listed below. These vehicles are commonly stolen vehicles and the Spokane Police Department believes the use of this anti-theft device will further reduce auto theft in our community. Auto theft has already been reduced by more than 13% as compared to this time last year.

In order to receive "The Club" free of charge, citizens must show proof of ownership for one of the following vehicles:

Honda Civic and Accord, model years 1983 through 2005

Toyota Camry, model years 1984 through 2005

Subaru Legacy, model years 1990 through 2005

Jeep Cherokee, model years 1985 through 2000

Ford Explorer, model years 1990 through 2005

Dodge Caravan, model years 1985 through 2010

Ford Escape, model years 1990 through 2000

Subaru Impreza, model years 1990 through 2005

Nissan Sentra, model years 1985 through 2000

SPD recently received grant funds from the Washington Auto Theft Authority (WATPA) for use in preventing auto theft. A portion of these funds was used to purchase 250 "Club" auto theft prevention devices to hand out to citizens with vehicles that are commonly stolen.

WATPA was created as a result of the Washington Legislature's desire to change trends in the car theft throughout the state of Washington. The Elizabeth Nowak-Washington Auto Theft Prevention Act was enacted in 2007. In addition to changes in the laws dealing with motor vehicle theft, the Act created the Washington Auto Theft Prevention Authority (WATPA) in the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs (WASPC). The WATPA account provides grant funds to law enforcement agencies to combat vehicle theft. Expenditures from the grant are used for activities related to motor vehicle theft and include education, prevention, and investigation.

Spokane Police Department leadership, as well as officers who patrol the North Spokane area will be available to have coffee and conversations with citizens. All community members are invited to attend this event.

Coffee with a Cop is an event in which police officers and community members come together in an informal manner to discuss community issues, build relationships and drink coffee. It is a national initiative supported by the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Community Oriented Policing Services, and has been implemented in over 175 cities and towns in 36 states across the country. The goal of the program is to increase community trust, police legitimacy and partnership building.